Apex Legends Season 31 Cipher launches on 3 November 2026, with full patch notes due the previous day, 2 November. The biggest additions are Crypto’s drone and EMP rework, mid-match Strongholds, the Akimbo Wingman and new Legend Bans in Diamond+ Ranked lobbies.
Respawn is also buffing Revenant and Lifeline, slowing Loba’s abilities, changing the Prowler and Nemesis, and bringing the Hemlok Burst AR back. Here’s how these features fit together and what players can prepare for before the update goes live.
Apex Legends Season 31 Cipher release date and patch schedule
EA announced a Tuesday, 3 November launch for Cipher. Its designer notes were published on 30 October, and the developer scheduled the comprehensive 31.0 patch notes for Monday, 2 November. Those notes will give players the final balance detail that goes beyond the initial preview.
EA confirms 3 November as the launch date but has not given a UK start hour. Check the game’s update notice on launch day rather than relying on an unofficial countdown. Season 31 is an update to the existing free-to-play game, with optional Battle Pass and cosmetic purchases rather than a separate game release.
Crypto rework: drone battery, marking and EMP
Crypto’s Surveillance Drone now runs on a 25-second battery. Its scan area covers 360 degrees, and enemy marks remain for eight seconds, including through geometry. When the drone is left out in the world, it can automatically tag targets while Crypto stays with his squad.
His EMP can activate from a stowed, deployed or piloted drone. A target out of the drone’s line of sight takes 50 shield damage and a lighter slow, while visible enemies take the full effect. Apex Legends Season 31 Cipher also moves Ally.MoveTo into Crypto’s base kit and introduces upgrades for longer marks and battery life.
Strongholds and Akimbo Wingman
A single Stronghold joins the regular Care Package drops in each match. The structure lands locked, and a team must capture and hold the surrounding area to open it. Other squads can contest the capture, and an alarm draws attention as players claim the loot.
Inside are high-value rewards, including Care Package weapons, gold equipment, corrupted attachments and EVO. The Akimbo Wingman offers a different reward for accurate shooting: each trigger pull fires the two pistols sequentially in a quick two-shot burst. The new weapon keeps the Wingman’s precision emphasis rather than firing both rounds at once.
Legend buffs and the returning Hemlok
Revenant gets a faster Tactical with a shorter cooldown, a 30-second Ultimate cooldown reduction, and upgrades including Silence, No Escape and Ever Lasting. Lifeline gains D.O.C. healing while gliding, quicker Tactical access and a Level 3 Revive Shield option.
Loba’s Tactical cooldown rises from 25 to 30 seconds and Ultimate cooldown from 120 to 150 seconds. The Prowler and Nemesis are being nerfed, while the Hemlok Burst AR returns and the Breach or Elite variant rotates out. The exact weapon numbers are reserved for the full patch notes.
Apex Legends Season 31 Cipher Ranked bans and the Season 32 difference
Apex Legends Season 31 Cipher adds a ban vote before Legend selection in Ranked matches containing Diamond+ players. Everyone casts one vote; the chance of a Legend being banned rises with its vote count, and the final result is randomised. A banned character is unavailable to the whole lobby.
Road to Ranked challenges are also being removed in favour of an Account Level 20 unlock. Iron, Emerald and Grandmaster ranks belong to Season 32’s bigger overhaul in early 2027, not this November release. The Ranked guide and Legend Bans guide cover those details.
Cryptic Core Mythic Volt and what comes next
The Cryptic Core Mythic Volt cosmetic has nanite styling, a pixel-art PALS assistant and alternative looks that use Exotic Shards. It is a possible drop from Cipher Seasonal Packs in supported regions, not a guaranteed reward from every pack.
Apex Legends Season 31 Cipher also introduces a Split 1 Premium Battle Pass, with nanite-themed outfits shown for Ash and Axle. For weapon tuning and final numerical changes, EA’s November 2 patch notes are the next official source to follow. Players can prepare for the announced mechanics without assuming new damage values or a precise UK launch time that hasn’t been published.
Related Apex Legends Season 31 Cipher Guides
Official publisher source: EA, New Updates Coming with Apex Legends: Cipher.
